The American Legion

Was having a bit of a brainstorm a few nights ago. Have had the opporunity to study and observe certain military police units of some of our allies such as the Italian Carabineri, the French Gendarmerie, and of course the Iraqi National Police. These are military units that are specifically tasked with policing civil populations within a conflict zone. I think its perhaps time that we created a 6th branch of the U.S. Military tasked 100% with these kinds of duties...along with an emphasis on combat specific to 4th Generation and Asymmetric Warfare. In the past, the French Foreign Legion has been used to this effect in colonial conflicts in Africa. The Italian Carabineri has police duties in Italy, but has been sent to areas such as Iraq for military duties and for training the Iraqi National Police.....a force designed after the Italian Carabineri.

This would be a force that like the US Coast Guard, wouldnt fall under the DoD...it would fall under the DoS as an arm of foreign diplomacy, with no mandate to operation within the USA save for executive order. It would have infantry units, limited mechanized units (MRAPs, Armored Security Vehicles, Hummers), both unarmored and armored SUVs, and air assets needed for support such as rotary aircraft. The branch would be sent into areas specifically designated as "low intensity conflict" or "limited warfare"...where the role has traditionally been "peacekeeping" or in dealing with insurgencies that threaten nations friendly to the USA or where our interests are directly threatened. This agency could also bolster the DSS in protection of foreign embassies, consulates, DoS property and personnel so that costs of contracting could be kept to a minimum. In terms of its training, each member would be both trained in infantry tactics (both for rural terrain and urban terrain), police tactics and procedures, VIP/Dignitary protection, language, and tactical medicine....so they would be fully equipped to TRAIN foreign police forces to stand on their own.

I think a force like this would well be used in place of regular forces in many areas of our past such as in Bosnia, Kosovo, Haiti, Iraq (for instance in the face of conventional military forces draqing down and training police forces), Afghanistan (training police), and throughout Latin America in training and advising democratic nations allied who are facing major narcotics issues as well as dealing with internal security issues that threaten their governments. Those are just examples....as well as traditional support to conventional (Army/Marines) forces in conbat operations.

The branch would have access to all military schools needed (Ranger, Air Assault, SERE, Sniper Schools, SOF Medic, etc etc), both Civil Affairs and PSYOP mos training as well as civilian LE schools, training, and academies through the DSS, US Marshalls, US CBP, and the FBI. The idea is not only someone who can be a peace keeper, but a potential peace maker, as well as someone who is well schooled in concepts dealing with both counterinsurgency AND community policing.

I think it would be a good idea.....a branch tasked 100% with peace keeping, low intensity/limited warfare, and to serve as a the tactical arm of the DoS in much the same way that the DHS has a military branch for its own use.